Wonderful Words

Apologies that I couldn't really think of a better title... just like a week ago I couldn't think of words to write in the MASCOM entrance.

A week ago I was in Chennai to write the MASCOM entrance test. I had the morning 6.30 flight from Shamshabad Airport, which meant I had to be there by 5.30. Anyone who has been the new and swanky RGIA (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport), would be aware that it takes about an hour or more to reach there...off peak hours. I woke up at 3 and took the 4.30 bus to the airport. After a mad dash for my boarding pass, thanks to some momma magic, I had comfortable Executive Class seats to Chennai. I was sleepy and tired but couldn't sleep due to all the anxiety in anticipation of the exam.

From the airport, I took a cab to Mount Road or Anna Salai as they call it. Reached the exam venue a good hour and a half before the exam. Got talking to a few people there and everyone was as anxious as I was, since no one knew what would the question pattern be like.

We were shifted from Malayalee Manorama office to another place at Stirling Road. The first part of the exam consisted of test of english language and for the first time I realised the set-backs to my writing skills. I never use big words, coz frankly I dont understand them. I didnt realise the importance of the same until I gave that exam.

In the test for English and Vocabulary, I managed to do the grammer part well enough to say that this was the area I would undoubtedly score in. Then there were segments during which I wished I had taken the Thesaurus with me. I did alright on those parts, but it just made me realise how much I had been taking for granted. I still have Asian College of Journalism's entrance in a week's time, and I've been trying to sort out that area of my writing.

The General Awareness part was the easiest one, multiple choice mostly. Once done with the exam, I headed back to the airport, took my boarding pass about 3 hours before the flight's departure time (6.20 pm) and just went around wandering like a lunatic at the Chennai Airport. Thank god for the Higginbothams book store at the airport, I enjoyed picking up a few. I wanted to resist the temptation to buy another book for myself, but when I laid my eyes on INDIA: FROM MIDNIGHT TO THE MILLENNIUM AND BEYOND by Shashi Tharoor, I just couldn't stop myself. I picked it up on a whim and have been hooked on to the same for the past week.

By the way, I think either Shashi Tharoor has a super vocabulary or he sleeps with Thesaurus next to him. 10 pages into the book and I started my page 11 with a post-it pad and Dictionary next to me.

Here are the few new words I picked up, which I doubt if I will ever ever ever use:

ONEIRODYNIA : Intense mental disturbance or distress associated with dreaming.
ESOTERIC : belonging to the select few.
INIQUITOUS : characterized by injustice or wickedness; wicked; sinful.
PHOENICIANS : a native or inhabitant of Phoenicia.
BELABOR : to explain, worry about, or work at (something) repeatedly or more than is necessary
DERACINATED : To displace from one's native or accustomed environment.
PHILISTINISM :  lacking in or hostile to culture.

and I am still on page 82 out of 362!!  Phew!!

It is an interesting read thus far. I'm still preparing for my entrance next week and not feeling too good about it. Lets see how it goes from here. 

Cheers!

13 Observations:

  1. Jiggy said...:

    Haan seriously woh kaafi heavy words use karta hai yaar. Pain ho jaata hai. :(((

  1. alok said...:

    Smriti, Good luck & all the best for your entrance exams.

  1. Amal Bose said...:

    that was informative

    n good luck for the exams smriti..

  1. Amal Bose said...:

    that was informative

    n good luck for the exams smriti..

  1. Anonymous said...:

    and the naughty girl made a comeback after a month (29 days). u were missed dudette. esp with those chirpy comments.

    all the best for ur eating eggs with jams.

    (Exams).

    and somebody watching twilight. yayyyyyy!! m too

  1. Priya Joyce said...:

    hehehe...lol..well i too don't like to use flowery lang..donno y it looks like superficial to me :P

    well go on..abhi bohot pages baaki hei gal :P

    all d best for ur egg jamz:)

  1. Priya Joyce said...:

    @ sam:
    oyeeee mera style..egg jam..copy kyu maara????? grrrrr :P

  1. Anonymous said...:

    that was interesting undoubtedly.. and i dont use big words myself..

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. and for all...

    eggjam is my copyrighted...

    x-(

  1. fst of all...very best of luck for ur eggjams....and secondly do all journalists have to pass this exam.. ???
    ......


    lol

    but I am sure u will be the next barkha dutt...

  1. Anil Sawan said...:

    Shashi Tharoor would definitely have a good vocabulary! He completed a Ph.D. at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, where he also earned two Master’s degrees. His Ph.D. was awarded when he was 22, a Fletcher record. He served as the UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information between June 2002 and February 2007. And now, in this election which went by, he is elected as MP from Trivandrum :)

    Interesting words!! :) all the very best for ur exams..

  1. Nikhil Menon said...:

    High class people.. :p

    Btw,raka wrote this too..Hopefully u ll be college mates.. :)

    I ve got something for you..do check out ma space on the post dated 19th may.. :)

    Take care..

    Nikhil

 
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